EPA to hand out $7 million for cleaner school buses

Schoolchildren in 85 school districts in 35 states will be riding in cleaner buses soon, as the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would spend $7 million to replace or retrofit hundreds of older diesel buses.

About 400 older diesel-engine school buses will be replaced or updated with newer, cleaner technology, said Christopher Grundler, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. The goal is to reduce pollutants like nitrogen oxide and particulate matter, which cause asthma and lung damage among other health problems.

"Schools and other organizations that install clean diesel technology are doing more than just saving money — they're creating cleaner, healthier air for children and all community residents," he said.